While not coming from this list directly, there was a query on the Eagle
Digest about mobile mounting of an Eagle. It may be of general interest
to discuss this.
Computer mobile mounts for a laptop in a Police Car are similar problems
to what mounting an Eagle would be. You can buy just the floor and post
mount section of a computer mobile mount and then adapt a design that
would hold the Eagle. A Clam shell type mount that goes over the top of
the radio and has one end hinged and the other end could have a hasp and
lock of your choice. I have seen fancy commercial post and shelf mounts
sell at ham swap meets. Sometimes a PD will change over from an old
generation digital terminal to a ruggedized Laptop, and sell their whole
stock of in car mounts, and use a new version for the laptops.
Some ham radio distributors have stocked versions of these that do not
cost what a police department pays for their computer stands. This
would be for horizontal mounting of the Eagle, but maybe it could be
done sitting in front of the dash, and with a pivot be pushed out of the
drivers way when not in use.
Investigate what may be hidden in your dash first. Some cars have an
air bag right above a glove box. Others have side air bags in unlikely
places like the corner of the seat back. Most will have a small label
warning there is a side bag.
If you don't regularly carry a passenger in the front seat, you might be
able to mount an Eagle on a homebrew mount that is attached to the front
of the front passenger seat. A slide in type receptacle that would have
a locking bar (L bar) that would confine the radio.
Local mobile hams have for years had success with using a colored bath
towel to cover the front panel of their radio. If the towel matches the
upholstery color, the radio does not attract attention.
Having an easy to store antenna in the trunk may also help keep down
your mobile advertising itself. A small antenna base would only look
like an old CB mount. If you have an expensive radio, then you likely
need a car alarm, or should park in parking garages that are attended.
Our hobby is not unlike others that require some extra effort or
expense. The boater needs a dock or a marina to rent. The horseman
needs a barn. The pilot needs a hanger and an airport runway. We mostly
need some metal work.
Stuart Rohre
K5KVH
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